College Ambassadors

Rhina Navarro, of Hackensack, majored in general sciences and graduated from Bergen in 2013. Rhina is studying nursing at Bloomfield. Contact Rhina about Bloomfield College.

College of New Jersey

Ariel Leconte majored in journalism at Bergen and is working toward her bachelor’s degree in the same field and studying African American Studies at TCNJ. Ariel, who is from Teaneck, graduated from BCC in 2012 with a 3.8 GPA. She was a senator in SGA, president of the Black Student Union, and the first manager of the new Student Center, as well as a member of the Judith K. Winn School of Honors and Phi Theta Kappa. Contact Ariel about College of New Jersey.

Columbia University

Hector Polanco, of Paterson, earned his associate’s degree in general sciences from Bergen in 2012. Hector served as president of Phi Theta Kappa at Bergen and treasurer of student government. He now majors in neuroscience and behavior at Columbia. Contact Hector about Columbia University.

George Washington University

Alyson Ann Cina, who served on the executive boards of Student Government, Model UN, and the Torch Student Newspaper at BCC, earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts with a GPA of 3.9 in 2012. She now attends the George Washington University on a full ride, and will graduate in 2014 with a bachelors in international affairs. She currently works for United Auto Workers and is involved in local activism in Washington, D.C. Contact Alyson about George Washington University.

Montclair State University

BCC graduate Alexander Delgado, Class of 2012, earned his associate’s degree in computer animation. The Warwick resident is majoring in graphic design at Montclair. Contact Alexander about Montclair State University.

Amanda Trott, of Garfield, graduated BCC in 2007 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Ramapo College and a master’s degree in counseling from Montclair State University. Contact Amanda about Montclair State University.

Silvestre Wilkiaris, of Lyndhurst, graduated from Bergen in 20112 with a associates degree in political science, and is a political science major in the pre-law program at Montclaire. Contact Silvestre about Montclair University.

New Jersey City University

Carolina Espin, BCC 2012 valedictorian, earned a general liberal arts degree at Bergen with a 4.0 GPA before garnering a full scholarship to New Jersey City University. Carolina, of Nutley, is majoring in psychology. Contact Carolina about New Jersey City University.

New York University

A member of the Honors Association while studying at Bergen, Anthony Sganga graduated from BCC in 2013 with an A.A. Degree in Journalism. The former editor-in-chief of the Torch, Anthony is majoring in Media, Culture and Communication. Contact Anthony about NYU.

Ramapo College

John Sapida, BCC 2012 Salutatorian, graduated Bergen with a liberal arts degree. John, who lives in Mahwah is majoring in international studies at Ramapo. Contact John about Ramapo College.

Amanda Trott, of Garfield, graduated BCC in 2007 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Ramapo College and a master’s degree in counseling from Montclair State University. Contact Amanda about Ramapo College.

Rutgers University – Newark Campus

Margarita Valdez, of Rutherford, served as president of the Student Government Association at Bergen and earned an associate’s degree in business administration, graduating in 2013. As an alumna, Margarita created and initiated the College Ambassadors program and serves as the point person and principal contact for ambassadors and as their liaison to the Office of Alumni Affairs. Margarita is continuing her business administration studies at Rutgers. Contact Margarita about Rutgers University.

William Paterson University

Lorena Calderon, who is from Guttenberg, earned her associate’s degree in psychology at Bergen in 2009, is majoring in psychology and sociology at William Paterson. Contact Lorena about William Paterson University.

Jesse Kurtz majored in professional studies at Bergen before graduating in 2013 and heading for William Paterson. Jesse, who is from Little Ferry, is pursuing a major in public relations with a minor in music management. Contact Jesse about William Paterson University.

Bergen 2011 valedictorian Jessica Bonilla, of Elmwood Park, earned her associates degree in liberal arts with a 4.0 GPA. She attended William Paterson on a full scholarship, graduating in 2013 with a degree in political science with a minor in humanities. Jessica currently is serving an internship in Washington, D.C. Contact Jessica about William Paterson University.

Laura Madera, Class of 2013, earned an A.S. in Broadcasting and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. While at Bergen Community College she was a party of the SGA, The Torch, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Judith K. Winn School of Honors. Laura currently lives in Bogota and is pursuing a B.A. in Media Production with a minor in Media Studies at William Paterson University. Contact Laura about William Paterson University.

Margarita Valdez, ’13 Helping Build Ambassador Network

Margarita Valdez, ‘13, a member of the College Board of Trustees representing alumni, came up with the idea of building a link between current students and recent graduates attending four-year institutions.

The Office of Alumni Affairs is worked with Margarita, who served as Student Government Association president during her final year at Bergen, to create the BCC Alumni College Ambassadors program.

She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business at Rutgers University School of Business in Newark. Margarita, of Rutherford, earned an associate’s degree in business administration at Bergen. She serves as the point person and principal contact for the BCC Alumni College Ambassadors program. She also is an Alumni College Ambassador.